Breaking down myths about St Catherine’s this Hospice Care Week

Take a look at some of the myths and realities surrounding St Catherine’s and hospice care and ‘be surprised’ during Hospice Care Week, which runs from October to 14.

Myth
• St Catherine’s Hospice is a depressing and gloomy place
Reality
• Everyone at St Catherine’s – from reception staff and housekeeping to nurses and kitchen workers – works very hard to make the hospice a welcoming, friendly and up-lifting place to visit.

Myth
• People only go to St Catherine’s Hospice to die
Reality
•Patients living with conditions that can be treated but not cured receive treatment to manage pain and complex symptoms via the hospice’s In-Patient Unit, which often allows them to return home. Such specialised nursing care is also available at the Day Therapy Unit at the hospice and through our team of Clinical Nurse Specialists who work in the community – allowing more people to stay in their own home.

Myth
• St Catherine’s Hospice is funded by the NHS
Reality
• We receive less than a third of the money we need to survive from the NHS. We rely on the generosity and support of the local community to help raise the £4.9m it costs to run the hospice each year, around 72 per cent of which has to be sourced through charitable donations.

Myth
• St Catherine’s Hospice only cares for people with cancer
Reality
• Although many of the patients we support are battling cancer in many different forms, we also provide specialised palliative and end of life care for people with other incurable conditions. Examples include heart failure, motor neurone disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Myth
• St Catherine’s Hospice is part of the Macmillan Cancer Support charity
Reality
• To avoid any confusion, it’s important to remember our expert team of Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) are funded and employed by St Catherine’s Hospice and are the only such nurses working in the community in the Preston, Chorley, Longridge and South Ribble areas. We offer a similar, specialised service to Macmillan – providing expert knowledge of complex symptom and pain management alongside psychological support – but are a completely separate charity.

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